“Dressmaker’s Form” Easily Duplicated (May, 1938)

“Dressmaker’s Form” Easily Duplicated

FOR the many people desirous of designing their own clothes or who have a figure that does not conform to “standard” or “ready made” sizes, this new type of dress form, invented by a Miss Cora Smith, should be ideal.

With Miss Smith’s system it is merely necessary to swathe the “model’s” figure in tissue paper, secure it with tape, such as is used in package wrapping, then slit it up the back and remove from the human body. A coat of shellac is applied, allowed to dry for 3 days and a second coat is applied; the form is now complete. To use it, the form is set upon any flower stand, or post, raised to the proper height.

Thereafter, it is merely necessary to slip the dress on the replica and make whatever alterations are desired.

I did this with my head using a plastic grocery bag, a straw, and duct tape. I can’t seem to convince my roomie to help me do my torso, though. The “modern” thing to do is to fill it with expandable foam from the hardware store. Then you can stick as many pins in it as you want.

I made this form from tissue paper and masking tape. It took approximately 2 hours. I stuffed it with pillows and covered it with a snug fitting cotton shift that fits like a glove. The dressmaker’s form works perfectly. I used a hanger with a swivel hook instead of a post mount. I am hooked on this method and I will use the dressmaker’s form technique whenever I sew for myself and others. Next I want to make the lower limbs so I can drape pants for the perfect fit.